Adjustable Vehicle Seat

ABSTRACT

A vehicle having a seat that includes a seat part and a backrest pivotably coupled to the seat part at a rear edge of the seat part. The seat part includes a front edge and the seat part is pivotable about the front edge into a first non-operational position. The backrest includes at least one seat rail configured to enable the backrest to slide with respect to the vehicle into a first non-operational position of the backrest when the seat part is likewise pivoted in the first non-operational position of the seat part.

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular a rear seat for a motor vehicle, with a seat part and a backrest which can be displaced relative thereto and is arranged in relation to the seat part firstly in a manner such that it can be displaced in the sitting direction from an operational position into a first non-operational position and secondly in a manner such that it can be pivoted from an operational position into a further non-operational position.

PRIOR ART

A vehicle seat of the generic type is disclosed in the publication DE 195 33 932 C2. The seat comprises a seat part and a backrest which is coupled pivotably to a slide and can furthermore be displaced relative to the seat part by the slide. By means of this displacement, firstly different operational positions with a supporting surface differing in length can be set on the seat part, secondly, after the seat part is folded into an upright storage position, the backrest can be displaced forward into a loading position. In this case, the backrest is pivoted in the slide-side joint from its usually slightly rearwardly inclined operational position into an exactly vertical position in order to enlarge the loading volume.

In this position, a loading space with optimum height utilization is provided. By contrast, when long items are transported, the seat part and backrest package may have an interfering effect.

DE 196 17 727 A1 describes a similar vehicle seat, but with a backrest which can be displaced longitudinally by means of a slide but is rotationally fixed in relation to the slide. This seat also, of course, has the disadvantages mentioned at the beginning.

Another seat featuring a loading position is disclosed in the publication DE 101 49 858 A1. It comprises a seat part which is connected via a rotary joint to a backrest. The backrest can be folded forward from its upright operational position into a loading position on the seat part which, in the process, is shifted downward by means of an articulated arm arrangement. The robust rear side of the backrest forms a low, horizontal loading floor which is preferably aligned with the floor of an adjacent luggage compartment and enlarges the latter when the need arises.

This vehicle seat basically satisfies the tasks demanded of it. However, it requires a very complicated guide mechanism and furthermore the space below the seat part in the operational position is taken up when the latter is lowered and cannot be used in another way. Furthermore, the head restraint must either be removed from the backrest or lowered before the backrest is folded forward if otherwise there would be a collision with a seat situated in front of it.

It is furthermore known from practice to arrange the unit comprising backrest and seat part in a manner such that it can be displaced longitudinally on seat rails running in the sitting direction and, for comfort reasons or for a moderate enlargement of an adjacent loading space, to displace it as a whole from a rear into a front operational position.

However, a comprehensive enlargement of the loading volume cannot be brought about by this means. Furthermore, the associated footwell is inevitably reduced in size during the displacement into the front operational position.

Problem

The invention is based on the problem of providing a variable, simply designed vehicle seat with a low space requirement.

Solution

The problem is achieved according to the invention in that the second non-operational position is designed as a loading position in which the item to be loaded can be placed onto the rear side of the backrest. This obtains a loading space of reduced height, but increased length, in which a long item to be loaded can be transported.

In addition, it is preferably possible, by displacement of the backrest in the sitting direction from a rear operational position into at least one front operational position, to slightly increase the loading space or to obtain an improvement in comfort. These advantages are particularly significant if the length of the seat part is not harmonized with the thigh length of (small) seat occupants.

At least one seat rail in which a slide piece of the backrest is displaceably guided preferably extends below the seat part. In this arrangement, the seat rail is covered in the operational position of the vehicle seat, so that, when the backrest is displaced, there is no risk of injury to the seat occupant.

The seat part, in its rear region, advantageously has at least one recess in which a fitting piece connecting the slide piece to the backrest, preferably in the form of a sheet-metal part aligned vertically and in the sitting direction, can be moved.

The arrangement of two seat rails which run on both sides of the seat part with the recesses being formed on the lateral edges of the seat part, is particularly favorable. By means of this design, both an advantageous introduction of forces from the backrest and also a simple design of the cushion of the seat part are brought about.

At least one slide piece can preferably be locked in the seat rail, so that a direct locking of the backrest to the vehicle body is not required. Furthermore, the backrest may be designed, without a relatively large outlay, in such a manner that, in addition to a front and a rear operational position, it can take up further intermediate positions, if appropriate even as many intermediate positions as desired, in which the seat can likewise be used. In order to implement this preferred embodiment, use may be made, for example, of a conventional lower seat rail of a seat longitudinal adjuster into which a shortened upper seat rail is inserted. In this case, the lower seat rail is usually provided with a linear tooth arrangement in which a mating toothing of the upper seat rail releasably latches, with the longitudinal adjustment taking place manually. In the case of high-quality vehicle fittings, an adjustment by electric motor is also possible, for example by means of a spindle drive.

In order once again to increase the variability of the vehicle seat, the seat part can be arranged in a manner such that it can be pivoted about a preferably horizontal axis of rotation into a non-operational position. In principle, a lateral pivoting is also conceivable, but the seat part is particularly advantageously to be pivoted about an axis of rotation, which runs in the region of its front edge transversely to the sitting direction, into an upright non-operational position, in which it is aligned approximately parallel to the backrest, which is in the operational position, of a seat arranged in front, for example the driver's seat.

The rotation of the seat part may take place, for example, manually, assisted by a previously tensioned spring, or by electric motor.

The pivoting of the seat part into the non-operational position exposes the seat rails, so that the backrest can be displaced forward into the region of the axis of rotation into a first loading position. The seat rails are preferably embedded flush in the loading floor which then arises, so that they do not obstruct the storage of the load. Furthermore, given an appropriate design, they can accommodate additional fittings, for example a cargo management system.

In the first loading position of the vehicle seat, a loading space is therefore produced with a low loading floor which preferably merges steplessly into the floor of an adjacent luggage compartment.

With particular advantage, the backrest can additionally be folded onto the seat part, which is in the operational position, into the second loading position, in which the item to be loaded can be placed onto the rear side of the backrest.

In comparison to the first loading position, the load is stored on a floor which is situated higher, but a loading space which is extended by the thickness of seat part and backrest and is particularly favorable for transporting long items is available in return for this.

If at least two vehicle seats according to the invention are arranged next to each other, they can also be transferred independently of each other into different loading positions, so that a particularly flexible design of the loading space is made possible.

In addition to a folding function, an angular adjustment which takes place either in the same or in an additional joint can be provided in the region of the axis of rotation of the backrest to improve comfort.

Since a lowering of the seat part is not required in any position, a storage compartment which is accessible from the footwell and whose upper side forms the loading floor can be arranged between seat part and vehicle floor.

FIGURES

The figures illustrate an embodiment of the invention by way of example and diagrammatically.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat according to the invention in a first operational position, in a side view,

FIG. 2 shows the vehicle seat according to FIG. 1 in a second operational position,

FIGS. 3, 4 show the same vehicle seat during or after the transfer of the seat part into its non-operational position,

FIG. 5 shows the vehicle seat in its first loading position,

FIG. 6 shows the same vehicle seat in its second loading position,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the vehicle seat in its position according to FIG. 1.

The vehicle seat 1 which is depicted in FIG. 1 and serves as a rear seat in a motor vehicle comprises a seat part 2 and a backrest 3. Of course, during normal use the seat part 2 is in a horizontal position and the backrest 3 is in an upright position. The backrest 3 is furthermore provided with a head restraint 4.

A paired arrangement of seat rails 5, in which a respective slide part 6 is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner, is arranged below the seat part 2. The slide pieces 6 are provided with upwardly extending fitting pieces 7 which, for their part, are connected rotatably to the backrest 3 via a horizontal axis of rotation 8 running transversely to the direction of travel. Means which are not illustrated, but are known per se and permit an angular adjustment of the backrest 3 are provided in the region of the axis of rotation 8. Similarly, customary longitudinal locking devices which can be operated either from the passenger compartment or luggage compartment are provided between seat rail 5 and slide piece 6.

The upper edge of the seat rails 5 runs flush to the horizontal floor 9 of an adjacent luggage compartment 10.

By contrast, the floor 9′ of the vehicle body, which is connected to the seat rails 5 via spacers 11, 11′, is lowered below the seat part 2. A loading floor 12 which is aligned with the upper edges of the seat rails 5 and with the floor 9 of the luggage compartment 10 runs between the seat rails 5.

In its first operational position (FIG. 1) , the backrest 3 is displaced in the seat rails 5 into its rearmost position, so that the supporting surface 13 of the seat part 3 has a customary length.

If a shortening of the supporting surface 13 or a moderate extension of the luggage compartment 10 is desired, the backrest 3 can be pushed in the direction of travel (arrow −X) into its frontmost operational position according to FIG. 2 without the footwell between seat part 2 and driver's seat 14 being reduced. The fitting pieces 7 move past the seat part 2 in the region of lateral recesses 15.

In order to provide further space for the storage of a load, the seat part 2 can be pivoted forward in the direction of the arrow A (FIG. 3) about an axis of rotation 16 running in the region of the front spacer 11′ by means of an articulated arm 20 into an approximately vertical non-operational position (FIG. 4) if the backrest 3 is in its rearmost position in the seat rails. If the seat part 2 has taken up its non-operational position, the backrest 3 can be displaced to a maximum extent forward into a first loading position, in which it bears against the underside of the seat part 2, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The planar surface of the floor 9 of the luggage compartment 10 and of the exposed loading floor 12 are now suitable in particular for receiving a heavy or high item to be loaded. In this case, the package comprising seat part 2 and backrest 3 prevents the item from striking against the driver's seat 14 in the event of an accident. In addition, it is conceivable to provide a separating net 19 which can be unrolled and can be secured in the roof region of the vehicle body on the upper edge of the backrest 3. The same separating net may, of course, also serve in the operational position of the vehicle seat 1 to protect the occupants if corresponding securing points are provided on the body.

In order to enlarge the luggage compartment 10 to receive long items to be loaded, the vehicle seat 1 is transferred from its operational position according to FIG. 1, by the backrest 3 being folded over, into its second loading position according to FIG. 6, in which it can be stored up to the backrest 17 of the driver's seat 14.

In principle, the vehicle seat 1 can also be taken out of the position according to FIG. 4 into a third loading position (not illustrated), in which the backrest 3 is pivoted downward directly onto the loading floor 12 with the seat part 2 folded upward.

As is apparent from the perspective view according to FIG. 7, a storage compartment 18 can be arranged below the seat part 2 between loading floor 12 and floor 9′ of the vehicle body and, in the operational position of the vehicle seat 1, is accessible from the interior of the vehicle.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 Vehicle seat -   2 Seat part -   3 Backrest -   4 Head restraint -   5 Seat rail -   6 Slide piece -   7 Fitting piece -   8 Axis of rotation -   9 Floor -   10 Luggage compartment -   11 Spacer -   12 Loading floor -   13 Supporting surface -   14 Driver's seat -   15 Recess -   16 Axis of rotation -   17 Backrest -   18 Storage compartment -   19 Separating net -   20 Articulated arm 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, comprising: a seat part; and a backrest configured to be displaced relative to the seat part and further configured to be displaced in a sitting direction from a first operational position into a first non-operational position and further configured in a manner such that it can be pivoted from the first operational position into a second non-operational position; wherein the second non-operational position is designed as a loading position in which an item to be loaded can be placed onto a rear side of the backrest.
 13. The seat of claim 12, wherein in the first non-operational position of the backrest is frontward of the backrest when it is in the first operational position and the backrest when it is in the second non-operational position.
 14. The seat of claim 12, further comprising: at least one seat rail; a slide piece coupled to the backrest; and wherein the at least one seat rail is displaceably guided in the slide piece and wherein the at least one seat rail extends below the seat part.
 15. The seat of claim 14, wherein a rear region of the seat part has at least one recess in which a fitting piece, connecting the slide piece to the backrest, is movable.
 16. The seat of claim 15, wherein the slide piece can be locked in the seat rail.
 17. The seat of claim 12, further comprising: at least two seat rails located with respect to the seat part; a slide piece connected with the backrest is displaceably guided at least in the seat rails, wherein the at least two seat rails extend below the seat part and wherein the at least two seat rails run on both sides of the seat part; and a fitting piece connecting the slide piece to the backrest and wherein a rear region of the seat part has at least one recess in which a fitting piece is movable; wherein the at least one recess are formed on lateral edges of the seat part.
 18. The seat of claim 12, wherein the seat part can be pivoted about a horizontal axis of rotation into the first non-operational position.
 19. The vehicle seat of claim 18, wherein the seat part is configured to pivot about an axis of rotation, located approximate the seat part front edge and aligned transverse to a sitting direction, and into a first non-operational position of the seat part.
 20. The vehicle seat of claim 18, wherein in the backrest is configured to displace forward into the region of the axis of rotation of the seat part front edge and into the first non-operational position.
 21. The vehicle seat of claim 12, wherein the backrest is configured to fold onto the seat part from the first operational position and into the second non-operational position.
 22. The vehicle seat of claim 12, further comprising: a storage compartment arranged between the seat part and the floor of the vehicle body.
 23. A vehicle seat, comprising: a seat part having a front edge; a backrest, pivotable at a rear edge of the seat part, wherein the seat part is pivotable about the front edge into a first non-operational position; and wherein the backrest includes at least one seat rail configured to enable the backrest to slide with respect to the vehicle into a first non-operational position of the backrest when the seat part is likewise pivoted in the first non-operational position of the seat part.
 24. The vehicle seat of claim 23, further comprising: a sliding piece coupled to the backrest; at least two seat rails slidably coupled to the sliding piece of the backrest, wherein the at least two seat rails extend below the seat part; and wherein the seat part defines at least one recess in which a fitting piece, connecting the sliding piece to the backrest, can be moved.
 25. The vehicle seat of claim 24, wherein the backrest is configured to fold onto the seat part into the second non-operational position of the backrest.
 26. The vehicle seat of claim 24, further comprising a storage compartment arranged between the seat part and a floor of the vehicle. 